J Sainsbury plc

SBRY · Consumer Defensive

About J Sainsbury plc (SBRY)

J Sainsbury plc is a Grocery Stores company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. SBRY has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.

J Sainsbury plc (SBRY) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Grocery Stores industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and employs approximately 141,517 people. With a market capitalization of £7.7 billion, SBRY is a mid-sized company with growth potential.

SBRY trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a mid-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £7.7 billion. The company employs approximately 141,517 people worldwide.

Sector
Consumer Defensive
Industry
Grocery Stores
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
IPO Year
1988

Key Statistics

Current Price
£346.40
Market Cap
£7.72B
52-Week High
£370.73
52-Week Low
£223.40
Sector
Consumer Defensive
Industry
Grocery Stores

SBRY Investment Performance

SBRY has gained 6.6% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in SBRY would have grown to £1,449, representing a 44.9% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £1,420.

£1,000 Invested in J Sainsbury plc (SBRY)

1 Year
£1,492
+49%
3 Years
£1,392
+39%
5 Years
£1,449
+45%
10 Years
£1,241
+24%
Since IPO
£1,420
+42%

How much would £1,000 invested in SBRY be worth today?

What would £1,000 invested in SBRY 1 year ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in J Sainsbury plc (SBRY) in 2025 would be worth £1,492 as of March 2026, representing a +49.2% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in SBRY 3 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in J Sainsbury plc (SBRY) in 2023 would be worth £1,392 as of March 2026, representing a +39.3% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in SBRY 5 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in J Sainsbury plc (SBRY) in 2021 would be worth £1,449 as of March 2026, representing a +44.9% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in SBRY 10 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in J Sainsbury plc (SBRY) in 2016 would be worth £1,241 as of March 2026, representing a +24.1% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in SBRY at IPO be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in J Sainsbury plc (SBRY) at IPO would be worth £1,420 as of March 2026, representing a +42.0% total return.

Monthly Returns Heatmap

Avg Monthly Return
+0.33%
Positive Months
240
53% of 452
Negative Months
208
46% of 452
Data Period
37+ years
452 months
Best Performers
Best month ever: Apr 2018 (+29.4%)
Best month on avg: April (+3.2%)
Worst Performers
Worst month ever: Feb 2000 (-23.4%)
Worst month on avg: February (-1.3%)

Over the past 37+ years (452 months), J Sainsbury plc (SBRY) has averaged a monthly return of +0.33% with a median return of +0.85%. The stock had 240 positive months (53%) and 208 negative months (46%). The best month in SBRY's history was April 2018 with a +29.4% return, while the worst was February 2000 at -23.4%. Historically, April tends to be the strongest month (averaging +3.2%), and February the weakest (-1.3%).

SBRY's longest winning streak was 11 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1992 with a cumulative return of +42.1%, and the worst was 2014 at -36.4%.

Annual Returns

Over 38 years of trading history, J Sainsbury plc (SBRY) has delivered an average annual return of +3.20% with a median return of +1.35%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +1.28%. The stock posted gains in 19 years (50%) and losses in 19 years (50%).

SBRY's best year was 1992 with a +49.61% gain, while the worst was 2014 at -32.37%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 4, and the longest losing streak was 4 years. SBRY achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 14 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 9 years.

Avg Return
+3.20%
Best Year
1992 (+49.61%)
Worst Year
2014 (-32.37%)
Positive Years
19/38
Year Return Start End
2026 +6.58% £325.00 £346.40
2025 +18.88% £273.39 £325.00
2024 -9.54% £302.21 £273.39
2023 +39.06% £217.32 £302.21
2022 -21.02% £275.14 £217.32
2021 +22.35% £224.88 £275.14
2020 -1.86% £229.15 £224.88
2019 -13.20% £263.99 £229.15
2018 +9.81% £240.40 £263.99
2017 -3.13% £248.17 £240.40
2016 -3.63% £257.51 £248.17
2015 +4.95% £245.36 £257.51
2014 -32.37% £362.82 £245.36
2013 +5.81% £342.89 £362.82
2012 +13.99% £300.81 £342.89
2011 -19.47% £373.53 £300.81
2010 +16.37% £320.98 £373.53
2009 -1.48% £325.82 £320.98
2008 -22.72% £421.62 £325.82
2007 +3.93% £405.67 £421.62
2006 +29.85% £312.42 £405.67
2005 +16.57% £268.00 £312.42
2004 -24.30% £354.00 £268.00
2003 +12.26% £315.35 £354.00
2002 -23.79% £413.81 £315.35
2001 -7.78% £448.70 £413.81
2000 +15.65% £387.98 £448.70
1999 -27.47% £534.96 £387.98
1998 -6.91% £574.64 £534.96
1997 +31.23% £437.90 £574.64
1996 -1.24% £443.40 £437.90
1995 -2.85% £456.40 £443.40
1994 -7.29% £492.31 £456.40
1993 -21.26% £625.22 £492.31
1992 +49.61% £417.90 £625.22
1991 +26.63% £330.03 £417.90
1990 +14.55% £288.10 £330.03
1989 +34.67% £213.93 £288.10

SBRY Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends

Key factors to consider when evaluating J Sainsbury plc as an investment

Valuation

SBRY currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 19.2, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 13.8 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 124.2. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.2.

Dividends

J Sainsbury plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.98%. This translates to £0.14 per share annually. The payout ratio of 74% indicates moderate dividend coverage.

Risk & Volatility

SBRY has a beta of 1.18, indicating it is slightly more volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £223.40 to £370.73, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.

Analyst Ratings

Based on 13 analyst opinions, SBRY has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £349.54 suggests 0.9% upside from current levels.

Frequently Asked Questions: SBRY

What sector is SBRY in?

SBRY operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Grocery Stores industry.

How has SBRY performed historically?

Over 38 years of trading history, SBRY has posted gains in 19 years (50% of the time). The best year was 1992 with a +49.6% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

How can I invest in SBRY?

You can invest in SBRY through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold SBRY.

Does SBRY pay dividends?

J Sainsbury plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.98%. This translates to £0.14 per share annually. The payout ratio of 74% indicates moderate dividend coverage.

What does J Sainsbury plc do?

J Sainsbury plc is a Grocery Stores company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

What sector is SBRY in?

SBRY operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Grocery Stores industry.

When did SBRY go public?

J Sainsbury plc went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.

How much would £1,000 invested in SBRY 5 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in SBRY five years ago would be worth approximately £1,449 today, representing a 44.9% return.

Does SBRY pay dividends?

Yes, J Sainsbury plc pays a dividend with a current yield of 3.98%, which is £0.14 per share annually.

What is SBRY's market cap?

J Sainsbury plc has a market capitalization of £7.7 billion, classifying it as a mid-cap company.

What is SBRY's P/E ratio?

SBRY has a trailing P/E ratio of 19.2 and a forward P/E of 13.8, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.

Is SBRY a buy, hold, or sell?

Based on 13 opinions, SBRY has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £349.54.

Last updated: 3/14/2026